TINY GLIMMERS OF LIGHT

In Athar and Athar-Jogee’s novel, a predawn visit from a stranger offers an opportunity that will lift a family out of poverty—but it comes with strings attached.

It’s 2014, and life in the financially struggling section of Karachi, Pakistan, is very hard. Bala Hadi, who works construction, and his wife, Naseebo, barely make ends meet and use their meager earnings to try to make things easier for their only son, 19-year-old Goha, who dreams of going to college. When a stranger knocks on their door early one morning, offering Goha an exciting opportunity to do “top secret” work for a mysterious group, he sees a chance to help his family. With a first-class train ticket in hand and his parents secure in new housing, courtesy of “the organization,” Goha leaves his life and family behind, traveling 800 miles to the tribal lands north of Peshawar. Initially told that he would be working on projects that focus on social change and preserving Pakistani heritage, Goha soon learns that the organization isn’t what he thought it was. He’s forced into a sexual relationship with his supervisor, but falls in love with the local imam’s progressive ex-wife. He’s reluctant to jeopardize the income he needs to support his parents, but he struggles with questions of morality, sexuality, and identity, which test his faith. In the end, he must decide what his future will hold. Authors Athar and Athar-Jogee, a father-and-daughter writing team, present richly developed characters in a story that will provide many readers with a window into Pakistani life and culture, complete with Urdu phrases with helpful translations. The compelling narrative examines gender roles, the effects of trauma, political extremism, and social stratification, all presented as part of one man’s journey to find his way in a difficult life. Readers who are unfamiliar with the setting will particularly appreciate the descriptions of the sights and sounds of the country, as seen through the eyes of a consistently relatable protagonist.

An immersive and insightful story of poverty and politics in Pakistan.